Irrigation has been used to develop large to medium-scale farms in Ethiopia. However, given the possibilities it offers for the country’s agriculture sector and overall economic development, it remains underutilized. Moreover, as Ethiopia has envisioned to become a middle-income country by 2023 E.C, the proper utilization of natural resources and irrigation technology can help in realizing this vision.

An important challenge that has to be solved for this vision to become a reality, is the question of food security and climate resilience. If used effectively, irrigation technology is an option that can help solve this issue and have positive trickle-down effects across other sectors. However, this question is also tied with the farmers, pastoralists and semi-pastoralists populations in lowland areas of the country. These areas of Ethiopia have historically been underexplored despite the opportunities they may offer.

The Ministry of Irrigations and Lowlands (MILLS), was therefore established to leverage the vast land, water, animal and human resources found within the lowland areas of Ethiopia to help achieve the country in its development mission.